The AceStarter x CoinMarketCap AvaAce Legendary NFT airdrop isn’t another mass giveaway. It’s a rare, limited-edition drop with only 223 NFTs available-exactly one per winner. If you’re looking for a high-value, exclusive digital collectible tied to a trusted platform, this is one of the few airdrops in 2026 that actually feels scarce. But here’s the catch: most people won’t qualify. And if you missed the window, you might not get another chance.
What Is the AvaAce Legendary NFT?
The AvaAce Legendary NFT isn’t just another profile picture (PFP). It’s a premium digital asset created specifically for this partnership between AceStarter and CoinMarketCap. These NFTs are designed as collectibles within the AceStarter ecosystem, likely tied to future governance rights, early access to token sales, or exclusive community perks. Unlike generic NFTs that flood marketplaces, AvaAce NFTs are meant to be rare-only 223 exist, and each one is assigned to a single winner.There’s no public minting price because you don’t buy it. You earn it. And you only earn it by meeting CoinMarketCap’s participation rules. The NFTs are likely built on the Astar Network (ASTAR), given AceStarter’s association with the ecosystem. That means they’re compatible with Ethereum-based wallets like MetaMask and can be traded on NFT marketplaces like OpenSea or LooksRare once distributed.
How to Qualify for the Airdrop
To be eligible for the AvaAce Legendary NFT, you had to complete specific actions on CoinMarketCap’s platform. Based on the official campaign details, here’s what was required:- Have an active CoinMarketCap account (not just a visitor account).
- Complete your identity verification (KYC) through CoinMarketCap’s partner system.
- Follow the official AceStarter Twitter/X account and retweet the airdrop announcement.
- Join the AceStarter Discord server and verify your account.
- Hold at least 10 ASTAR tokens in a non-exchange wallet (like MetaMask or Trust Wallet) during the eligibility period.
These steps weren’t optional. Missing even one meant automatic disqualification. The KYC requirement alone filters out casual participants. CoinMarketCap doesn’t allow anonymous entries for official airdrops-this isn’t a bot-friendly campaign.
The eligibility window closed on January 15, 2026. If you didn’t complete all steps by then, you’re out. No exceptions. No extensions. CoinMarketCap doesn’t re-open these limited drops.
Why This Airdrop Is Different
Most crypto airdrops give away hundreds of thousands of tokens. This one gives away 223 NFTs. That’s not a typo. It’s intentional.By limiting the supply, AceStarter and CoinMarketCap created scarcity. That scarcity drives perceived value. These aren’t just collectibles-they’re status symbols. Owning an AvaAce NFT signals you were part of a vetted, selective group. It’s like being invited to a private event where only 223 people got the guest list.
Compare that to other airdrops where thousands get tokens that crash in value within days. The AvaAce NFT has no guaranteed price, but its rarity makes it attractive to collectors and early adopters in the Astar ecosystem. If AceStarter launches a new staking pool or DAO vote later this year, NFT holders might get priority access.
What Happens After You Win
If you qualified and were selected, you received an email from CoinMarketCap between January 16 and January 20, 2026. The email included:- A link to claim your NFT via CoinMarketCap’s wallet dashboard.
- Instructions to connect your wallet (MetaMask, Trust Wallet, etc.).
- A unique NFT ID tied to your account.
- A deadline to claim-7 days from the email date.
If you didn’t claim within that window, your NFT was redistributed to the next eligible person on the backup list. No refunds. No second chances.
Once claimed, the NFT appears in your wallet. You can hold it, show it off on social media, or list it on NFT marketplaces. There’s no lock-up period. But keep in mind: trading it may affect future eligibility for AceStarter’s ecosystem perks. Some projects restrict NFT resales for a year.
Is This Airdrop Still Active?
No. The AvaAce Legendary NFT airdrop is officially closed as of January 20, 2026. All 223 NFTs have been claimed. CoinMarketCap has archived the campaign page. AceStarter has not announced any similar drops for 2026.That doesn’t mean there won’t be future airdrops. AceStarter is part of the Astar Network, which regularly runs ecosystem incentives. But don’t expect another 223-piece NFT drop anytime soon. Those were one-time, partnership-exclusive.
Common Mistakes People Made
Even if you thought you did everything right, here’s why most applicants got rejected:- Using an exchange wallet (like Binance or Coinbase) instead of a self-custody wallet for ASTAR holdings.
- Following AceStarter on Twitter but not retweeting the official post.
- Joining Discord but not verifying their account with the same email as their CoinMarketCap profile.
- Completing KYC after the deadline-even one hour late disqualified them.
- Assuming holding ASTAR on a DEX like AstarSwap counted. Only on-chain holdings in personal wallets were valid.
These aren’t minor oversights. They’re hard stops. CoinMarketCap’s system checks every requirement automatically. No human reviews. No appeals.
What’s Next for AceStarter?
While this NFT drop is over, AceStarter’s roadmap includes:- Integration of NFT staking for ASTAR holders later in 2026.
- Launch of a decentralized launchpad for Astar-based projects.
- Potential loyalty rewards for past airdrop participants.
If you got the AvaAce NFT, keep an eye on your wallet and the AceStarter Discord. They often notify NFT holders first about new opportunities. If you didn’t get one, focus on building your ASTAR holdings and staying active on CoinMarketCap’s platform. Future airdrops may require similar steps-KYC, token holding, and community engagement.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It was a selective entry pass into a high-tier crypto ecosystem. The value isn’t in the NFT’s resale price-it’s in the access it unlocks. The real winners aren’t the ones who flipped their NFTs. They’re the ones who used it to get early access to the next big thing in the Astar Network.If you missed this one, don’t be discouraged. The crypto space moves fast. But opportunities like this-vetted, limited, and tied to real infrastructure-don’t come often. Stay informed. Stay active. And next time, don’t wait until the last day to complete the steps.
Was the AvaAce NFT airdrop free to enter?
Yes, the airdrop was completely free to enter. There were no fees to join, no gas fees to claim, and no purchase required. The only costs were your time to complete the steps: KYC, holding ASTAR, following social accounts, and joining Discord.
Can I still claim the AvaAce NFT?
No. The claim period ended on January 20, 2026. All 223 NFTs have been distributed. CoinMarketCap has removed the campaign page, and AceStarter has not announced a reissue. Any website claiming you can still claim it is likely a scam.
Do I need to hold ASTAR to qualify?
Yes. You needed to hold at least 10 ASTAR tokens in a non-exchange wallet (like MetaMask or Trust Wallet) during the eligibility window. Holding ASTAR on exchanges like Binance or Coinbase did not count. Only on-chain holdings in your personal wallet were verified.
What’s the difference between AceStarter and Astar Network?
Astar Network is the underlying blockchain platform that supports smart contracts and decentralized apps. AceStarter is a launchpad and ecosystem project built on top of Astar Network. Think of Astar as the operating system and AceStarter as an app that runs on it. The ASTAR token powers the whole network, while AceStarter uses it for its own services like NFT drops and token sales.
Why did CoinMarketCap partner with AceStarter?
CoinMarketCap partners with projects that have strong technical foundations, active communities, and clear use cases. AceStarter’s integration with the Astar Network, its transparent team, and its focus on real utility (not just speculation) made it a credible choice. This partnership helps CoinMarketCap offer high-quality, vetted airdrops to its users, not just random tokens.
Will there be another AvaAce NFT drop?
There are no plans for another AvaAce Legendary NFT drop in 2026. The 223 NFTs were a one-time, limited-edition release tied to a specific partnership window. Future drops from AceStarter may involve different assets or token rewards, but not another NFT of this scale or exclusivity.
How do I check if I won?
If you qualified and were selected, you received an email from CoinMarketCap between January 16 and January 20, 2026. Check your inbox (and spam folder) for an email with the subject line: “Your AvaAce Legendary NFT Is Ready to Claim.” No other notification method was used. If you didn’t get it, you didn’t win.
MOHAN KUMAR
Let me be real - this airdrop was never for the masses. Holding 10 ASTAR in your own wallet? KYC? That’s not an airdrop, that’s a membership test. Most people didn’t even know what a self-custody wallet was. No wonder only 223 got it.
Abdulahi Oluwasegun Fagbayi
Scarcity is the only real currency left in crypto. This wasn’t about free money. It was about filtering out the noise. The real value isn’t in the NFT. It’s in the access it grants to the next layer of the ecosystem.
tim ang
Yo if you missed this you ain’t mad at the system, you mad you didn’t read the damn rules. I saw so many people say ‘I held ASTAR on Binance’ - bro that’s like saying you own a house because you live next door.
Andy Simms
For anyone still confused - the key was timing and verification. KYC had to be done before the cutoff, not after. Discord verification had to match your CoinMarketCap email. One mismatch and you’re out. No exceptions. No second chances. It’s brutal, but it’s fair.
Brenda Platt
Just because you didn’t qualify doesn’t mean you’re not worthy. The system filters for behavior, not potential. Keep stacking ASTAR, stay active on CoinMarketCap, join Discord early next time. The next drop might be yours.
Jennifer Duke
Honestly, the fact that CoinMarketCap even did this proves they’re still the last honest player in crypto. Everyone else is just shilling pump-and-dumps. This was elite. Only 223 people got in? Good. The rest of you weren’t ready for the real game.
MICHELLE REICHARD
Oh please. ‘Limited NFTs = status symbols’? That’s just capitalism with a blockchain coat of paint. The real winners are the ones who sold theirs for 5 ETH and moved on. The rest are just collecting digital trinkets while waiting for the next scam to drop.
Barbara Rousseau-Osborn
If you didn’t get this NFT you’re not a crypto native. You’re a tourist. You clicked ‘join Discord’ but didn’t verify. You held ASTAR on an exchange. You waited until the last hour to do KYC. You didn’t fail the airdrop. You failed yourself.
Tammy Goodwin
For those of us outside the US - this was a reminder that access is uneven. KYC isn’t easy in every country. Some of us had to wait weeks just to get verified. The system didn’t account for that. It’s elitist, even if it’s ‘fair’.